1. Enzymes involved in DNA Replication & Transcription
Function
Helicase (DNA replication)
“molecular zipper” – unwinds double helix; breaks hydrogen bonds that holds base pairs together
Topoisomerase (gyrase) (DNA replication)
“molecular swivel”- relieves overwinding stress on DNA strands by working ahead of helicase and breaking, swiveling and rejoining small sections of the DNA molecule
DNA polymerase (DNA replication)
Using a parent DNA strand, adds free-floating nucleotides (A, T, G, & C’s) covalently to the new strand being constructed.
Ligase (DNA replication)
“molecular glue” – joins fragments of the New DNA strand together
RNA polymerase (used in transcription)
Uses one strand of DNA as a template to construct mRNA – adds free-floating nucleotide
Editase (DNA replication)
Fixes mistakes on DNA molecule